MAY:11 '84 19:17 INTELPOST HKG i
-
- 2 -
P.003
We can envisage, in concrete terms, the values we now enjoy and treasure eroding as China's political conventions and ideology increasingly close in on Hong Kong after 1997. The day might come when our personal freedoms such as the voice of opposition, freedom of beliefs, the choice of jobs or even what music to listen will be lost and subjugated to the leaders' "centralised wisdom"; when our government is no longer responsible to the individual but dedicated to historic missions; when our existing rule of law deteriorates to the point of personalised politics unchecked by any independent judiciary; when our government changes from a body of limited- power to an omnipotent presence and, which policy formulation turns from an open and rational to an authoritatrian mode. The PRC has altered her Constitution five times in only 35 years since 1949. The level of consistency and credibility even to her billion population has not been, to be honest, exactly satisfactory.
We believe strongly that personal liberty should not be tolerable but inalienable. No agreement of any nature has the right to sacrifice or take away personal liberty in Hong Kong. Freedom is preserved only by following principles. Expediency destroys liberty. It rests with you, dear MPs, to consider our views responsibly and express your opinions in our best interest.
Honourable MPs, we now suggest three proposals which we believe to be
in the best interest of Hong Kong people for your consideration :
1.
2.
3.
The forthcoming Sino-British agreement on Hong Kong's future should be as clearly and meticulously stated in black and white as possible. And we do want no rash act in the process of negotiation.
Britain has the moral and material responsibility to arrange for all Hong Kong citizens who elect not to live under the new system after 1997 to live under acceptable systems.
We insist a referendum is a must as it is the most direct and comprehensive way to test the acceptability of the Sino-British agreement by Hong Kong citizens.
Let justice and honesty reign.
We are fighting for tangible safeguards of our fundamental rights, not some well-intended but wishful pronouncements.
We are looking forward to your support.
With best regards,
Yours faithfully,
A FORUM OF UNIVERSITY GRADUATES